Future is bright for natural gas

APGA and two other gas industry associations have joined together to call for coherent energy policy frameworks to unlock the benefits of natural gas for Australian households and businesses in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The three associations today issued Australia’s Bright Gas Future, a publication from the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), APGA and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) highlighting the significant benefits of natural gas and the need for policies that support energy security and carbon abatement ambitions.

“Natural gas is playing a key role in international markets to transition to a cleaner energy economy,” ENA CEO John Bradley said.

“Yet even though Australia is about to become one of the world’s largest exporters of LNG, outdated policies are preventing this low-emission fuel from meeting our needs here at home.”

APPEA Chief Executive Malcolm Roberts said the recently issued COAG Energy Council Gas Supply Strategy recognised the importance of bringing more gas supply to market and encouraging more suppliers.

“However there is a need for a fresh look at how natural gas can assist the Australian community to transition to a clean energy future in balanced policy frameworks that avoid picking winners,” Mr Roberts said.

APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright said Australia has more than 100,000km of distribution pipelines and more than 35,000km of transmission pipelines that efficiently deliver natural gas to over 4.5 million consumers.

“This existing infrastructure supports peak demand in summer and in winter – avoiding the need for additional augmentation of the electricity network to meet extreme peaks,” she said

“In Europe, gas is recognised as playing a key role to play in supporting intermittent renewables – with gas storage and transmission pipeline providing flexibility when energy demands can change rapidly.”